Labour mayoral front-runner Tessa Jowell has vowed to continue work on some of Boris Johnson’s flagship cycling schemes in order to make the capital’s streets safer for bike users.
The Mayor and Transport for London has plans to improve 33 of the city’s most dangerous junctions but it’s expected that work will be complete on only six before Mr Johnson steps down next May.
Dame Tessa says she would ensure the remaining junctions are completed should she succeed Johnson as Mayor, and has also pledged to complete the Quietways project to create networks of bike-safe routes which guide cyclists away from the busiest streets.
The commitment to delivering these schemes, which have widespread support among cyclists, came as Jowell published figures showing that 5,146 cyclists were injured on London’s streets last year – the equivalent of one cyclist every 100 minutes.
The former cabinet minister has also set out plans to ensure all HGVs on the capital’s streets are cycle-safe, ensure schools offer cycling proficiency courses to boost safety and confidence among young cyclists and said the Met would be expected to enforce the speed limit where TfL and the boroughs have established 20mph zones.
Dame Tessa said: “Cycling is win-win – good for health, reduces demand on congestion on buses tubes and roads, and reduces air pollution. We should be doing everything we can to ensure this is a welcoming city for cyclists. London today is not truly fit for cyclists – and lives are being put at risk.
“I want to see all heavy goods vehicles fitted out with the latest technology, so that these senseless tragedies can be avoided as much as possible. And I will speed up the improvement of major London junctions so cyclists can get across the city quickly and safely.
“Let’s make London a city fit for cyclists, fit for Londoners and fit for a healthy future.”
